Entry exit system update: EES disruption could last up to two years

The next time you travel to Europe, things at the border will probably work differently. In April 2026, the EU introduced new biometric border checks called the Entry/Exit System (EES), which is leading to long queues on arrival and departure at some airports and impacting British travellers. 

Our travel editor witnessed queues several hours long and passengers missing flights at Palma airport, and in April a flight from Milan to Manchester took off without over 100 passengers – who were stuck in EES queues. Most weeks, there are further stories of passengers missing flights due to these queues. 

EES queues will worsen this summer during the peak travel season but, unfortunately, the disruption is expected to continue beyond this summer. Uku Särekanno, a deputy executive director at Frontex (the company that created the EU’s Travel to Europe app helps to manage the EU’s external borders) said that the company expects the situation 'will stabilise in one or two years'.

The new EES checks take more time because all third-party nationals arriving in Schengen countries, including UK passport holders since Brexit, are now required to register their biometrics and ‘enrol’ in the system. EES checks take place on arrival, but also on departure. The Schengen zone includes popular holiday destinations such as France, Italy, Spain and Portugal, but not Cyprus or Ireland. 

Below, we’ve shared a guide to what you need to know if you’re travelling this summer.

What to do to prepare for queues

Queues are worst at airports with a large number of UK flights, which is why airports like Lisbon, Mallorca, Milan and Krakow have been particularly bad. But where and when queues strike is unpredictable. 

At airports that have a large number of UK arrivals and departures, it’s sensible to arrive as bag drop opens, usually three hours before departure, so you have enough time to make it through exit EES checks. Many Spanish airports, as well as Lisbon, Milan and Krakow, are just some of the places where long queues are regularly reported. 

EES involves having your fingerprints and/or a facial scan taken at EES kiosks or by a border officer, as well as answering questions about the reason for your visit. 

If you’re stuck in the queue for EES checks, you can try to speak to a member of staff and inform them you’re at risk of missing your flight. In some situations, airport staff may use their discretion and allow you to move to the front of the queue.

If you don’t need to check in a bag at the airport, you may want to arrive even earlier. Clearing security sooner means you’re able to join EES queues ahead of time, potentially helping you to stay on schedule for your flight.

Can countries or airports pause EES checks?

For now, yes. Airports and ports in EU member states can still suspend checks for up to 90 days, with another 60-day extension possible. Several airports, such as Lisbon and Milan, and airports in Greece have previously suspended EES checks for this reason. 

For travellers, this means you may not necessarily need to do EES checks on your next summer holiday, as other member states may follow suit during peak summer travel times. But it’s wise to prepare as if you will have to queue, and anticipate delays.

What happens at the border with EES?

The new digital EES requires all non-EU passport holders, including those with British passports, to be fingerprinted and photographed at border control. 

When the system is fully operational, travellers of all ages will be subject to these border checks, although children under 12 won't have to give fingerprints.

This will usually be done at new, dedicated automated kiosks, alternatively, by a border officer when arriving overseas at airports and, for Eurostar/Eurotunnel and at the Port of Dover, before leaving the UK. 

Visitors will also have to answer questions about the length of their stay and whether they have enough money to fund their trip.

Theoretically, the system should have replaced passport stamping from 10 April 2026, but this step will likely be phased out more slowly. Member states are allowed to pause real-time checks and instead retroactively upload passport data into the EES system, and in these cases, passports are stamped instead.

As a rule of thumb, if you’re travelling soon and are given the opportunity to have your passport stamped, you should accept it.

Has EES started yet?

Yes – the changes rolled out officially on 10 April 2026. But EU countries will still be allowed to pause EES to avoid long queues during peak summer travel.

EES applies across all Schengen countries, including Bulgaria and Romania. The only exceptions are Ireland, which shares a Common Travel Area with the UK, and Cyprus, which will operate border controls separately.

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Could I be banned from the EU under EES?

EES rules state that UK travellers may spend 90 days in every 180 in the Schengen zone. Unless you’re taking longer and/or more frequent trips than this, it’s not something to worry about – just make sure you get your passport stamped each time you travel in and out of the EU until this step is phased out.

If you do overstay, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) says you could be banned from countries in the Schengen Area for up to three years. These rules come under the EU’s Return Directive 2008/115, which states that any entry ban should take into account the specific circumstances of each individual case – meaning that it may depend on factors such as the length of your overstay, and any other mitigating factors.

If you’re concerned, you can use the European Union’s 90/180 calculator tool, which is available on the official Travel to Europe website.

Do I have to do anything for EES?

No, apart from checking your passport validity and making sure you’re following the 90/180-day Schengen rule. 

There’s no advance registration or paperwork needed before you travel. 

However, it’s worth allowing extra time for your journey. For example, when booking transfers, car hire or other onward travel, take into consideration that you may wait longer than normal to exit the airport when you arrive at a European country. You may want to ensure that your car hire company doesn’t impose a penalty for late pick-up – and warn it if you’re delayed.

For peace of mind, you can also double-check the entry requirements of your destination by checking its FCDO Foreign Travel Advice page.

Can I now use e-Gates at European airports?

Not yet. Some airports, such as those in Germany and Bulgaria, along with Lisbon and Faro in Portugal, Prague and Rome Fiumicino, are already allowing UK travellers through the e-Gates, and it is hoped more will do so in future.

Even if you do go through an e-Gate, you may still be given the chance to have your passport stamped by a border guard. It's wise to do so if you're given the opportunity, as it acts as further documentation of your movements in or out of the Schengen zone.

Is it true that I’ll be asked about travel insurance or money when travelling to Europe?

You may be asked when registering for EES if you have enough money to cover your stay. But we haven’t found any instances of British passport holders being refused entry on the basis of their answer. 

Rumours of British tourists being fined under Spain’s '£97-a-day' rule are unfounded. The rule has long existed and technically applies to UK visitors post-Brexit, but Spanish authorities confirmed to Which? that it’s not enforced against British tourists, and none have been refused entry. That said, it’s sensible to carry a return ticket and accommodation details in case you’re asked.

Do I need travel insurance because of EES?

Again, this is unlikely. Some countries in the Schengen area list travel insurance as a requirement for entry, but it’s not a rule that has ever been used to deny entry to UK travellers – as far as we’re aware. 

When Eurostar first introduced EES, passengers were asked about travel insurance, but this and other questions have been temporarily dropped, with no mention of them on Eurostar’s EES page. Which? has reached out to Eurostar to ask when, and if, these questions will be reintroduced, but it has not yet shared more information. 

There is also a helpful Eurostar tool for checking border requirements for your journey – just type in your destination.

Either way, purchasing travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked a trip is advisable. While a UK Ehic/Ghic card can cover medically necessary state healthcare in the EU, it won’t cover private treatment or repatriation. Plus, travel insurance will protect you against wider issues, including cancellations or lost baggage.

Do you need to apply for EES?

No. Just prepare for extra border checks. You may be able to pre-register on an official app called Travel to Europe in future, but at the moment this is only available if you’re travelling to Sweden or Portugal.

What is the EES app, also known as the Travel to Europe app?

The EU has created an app, called Travel to Europe, that allows travellers to pre-register their passport information, upload a photo and answer the questions asked at kiosks up to 72 hours before arriving at border control. It is currently only available for arrivals into Sweden and Portugal.

How does EES affect travel by Eurostar, Eurotunnel and at the Port of Dover?

In this case, EES checks will take place at kiosks on the UK side. 

Eurostar is currently asking some Eurostar Premier passengers, or those travelling with Carte Blanche or Étoile Club Eurostar membership, to register with EES at a pre-registration kiosk. 

It says it accounts for time needed for border checks within arrival times on tickets, and will provide a further update regarding when EES registration will be mandatory for all passengers, including information on how it impacts their travel plans, and will do so 'well in advance'. Which? has reached out to Eurostar to ask for an approximate timeline, but it has not yet responded.

The Home Office says there are kiosks to register passengers before their journeys and, in October 2025, confirmed in an email to Which? that it had plans for 49 kiosks for Eurostar, 106 for Eurotunnel and 72 for cars and 12 for coaches at Dover.

However, in a statement it has also warned of delays caused by EES across airports, the Eurotunnel, Eurostar and Port of Dover.

What is Etias?

After EES, adding to the abbreviations is Etias (European Travel Information and Authorisation System): a new visa waiver that British travellers will have to pay for to visit Europe. Although this is due to be introduced in late 2026, it won’t be mandatory for UK passport holders until early 2027. Which? has reached out to the European Commission to ask whether this timeline could be postponed, but has not yet received a response.

When it is fully implemented – which isn't expected until April 2027 – all holidaymakers will need to apply online and pay a fee of €20 (around £17) before travelling. The authorisation is expected to be valid for three years, or until your passport expires.

I’m travelling to Europe – do I need an Etias?

Not yet. Etias has been postponed several times and is now expected in late 2026, after EES has fully launched. There will be at least a six-month transition period and then an additional grace period before it becomes mandatory for UK passport holders. 

When Etias launches, UK travellers will need it to travel to the following:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia (aka the Czech Republic), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

While Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City are not part of the Schengen Area, they do not have independent external border controls. Travellers normally enter these territories via France or Italy. As these are Schengen member states, visa-exempt travellers will need a valid Etias travel authorisation before entering the Schengen Area.